Structure building toy

ABSTRACT

A toy structure building apparatus includes a plurality of connector members attached to a plurality of structural members. Each connector member has a pin portion and a retention element located on an external surface of the pin portion. The apparatus further includes a plurality of connectors, each connector having an aperture for receiving the pin portion of a connector member and a detent member disposed within the aperture. The detent member is adapted to lockingly engage the retention element and includes a flexible elongated locking element extending in a direction substantially parallel to the central axis of the pin portion when the detent member is lockingly engaged to the retention element. The pin portion is selectively insertable into the aperture to couple and uncouple the structural members to each other to build a toy structure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a toy and in particular to a buildingtoy.

BACKGROUND

“Fort building” is a universally loved activity among kids of all ages.Typically, the child uses existing pieces of furniture, such as couchesand chairs, and bed sheets as the building materials for the fort. Thechild then creates a fort space by draping the sheet(s) over thefurniture so that a space is created. It is desirable to provide a toythat permits the child to expand his fort building capabilities into avariety of configurations. Thus, it is desirable to provide a superforttoy and it is to this end that the present invention is directed.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features ofthe claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid indetermining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The structure building toy is an activity toy that allows kids toimagine and build structures, including but not limited to fort-likeobjects, boats, spaceships, submarines, castles and the like, thatbecome vehicles or other play environments for escape into a land ofpure creative fantasy. The structure building toy is unique in its useof a familiar material, such as foam noodles. Using the foam noodle as a‘building block’ allows for tremendous freedom in construction, whilebeing inexpensive, safe and fun. The structure building system includesinnovative magnetic connectors that playfully assemble and disassemblethe noodles with a satisfying click. The structure building system isdesigned to radically expand the creative potential of kids buildingspaces. The structure building toy may include innovative “landscapemats” which are bendable wire frames encased in fabric that fold out andmay be connected together using base connectors. These landscape matsprovide for additional stability for building larger structures as wellas can be connected in a grid pattern to ease construction of certainstructures. In an alternative embodiment, the landscape mat has floatingmetal disks, encapsulated between two layers of fabric wherein thisembodiment of the landscape mat allows limitless possibilities formagnetic coupling to the floor and the landscape mat doubles as aroll-up storage system where all of the pieces can be inserted andsimply stowed away. The structure building toy in accordance with theinvention may also be used to build a structure without the landscapemat.

In order to fully catalyze a fantasy play experience, the structurebuilding toy may include colorful fabric panel ‘skins’ to enclose thenewly-created noodle space. The structure building toy may also haveseveral of the fabric panels feature port holes with mesh so thatchildren can look out of the port holes without easily being seen.Additionally, the mesh provides safety by preventing children fromputting their heads through the port holes. In an alternativeembodiment, the structure building toy may include multi-function ‘portholes’ that foster creative expression wherein the port holes may bemade of a clear material and the structure building toy may come with aset of picture cards that can be slide into the window from the insideto customize the playscape and enhance the fantasy and “spy” experience.For example, the pictures may include a power reactor core, a view intospace, an under sea view, submarine's periscope view, instrumentationpanels etc. The clear vinyl windows can also act as a see-though pocketwhere pictures, drawings and precious items can be stored. The structurebuilding toy may also have a solid/rigid panel that can be clipped ontothe structure members.

Thus, a structure building apparatus is provided. The apparatus has oneor more landscape mats having a plurality of connection areas to which abase connector can be connected. The apparatus also has a set ofstructural members that may be connected to any of the base connectionareas and a set of connectors that couple the structural members to eachother in order to build a structure using the mat, structural membersand connectors. Further, the structure building system includes fabricthat may be attached to the structural members in order to enclosespaces (or to create a wall of the structure) created by interconnectedstructural members and connectors.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of thisinvention will become more readily appreciated as the same become betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description, whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a structure buildingtoy in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 1B1 and 1B2 are diagrams illustrating a preferred embodiment of aport hole that is part of the structure building toy;

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating details of an exemplary landscape matthat may be part of the structure building toy;

FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating details of an example of analternative embodiment of the landscape mat that may be part of thestructure building toy;

FIGS. 3A1-3A3 are diagrams illustrating details of a set of connectordevices that may be part of the structure building toy;

FIG. 3B is diagram illustrating details of an alternative embodiment ofa set of connector devices that may be part of the structure buildingtoy;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating details of a bottom portion of thealternative embodiment of the landscape mat shown in FIG. 2B;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating details of a structural member that maybe part of the structure building toy;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating more details of the alternativeembodiment of the base connector mechanism that may be part of thestructure building toy;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating more details of an alternativeembodiment of the five way floor connector mechanism that may be part ofthe structure building toy;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating more details of the alternativeembodiment of the six-way connector mechanism that may be part of thestructure building toy;

FIGS. 9A-9D are diagrams illustrating an example of a clip mechanism ofthe structure building toy;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a connector member in accordance with analternative embodiment of the structure building toy shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a six-way connector in accordance withan alternative embodiment of the structure building toy shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is an exploded isometric view of the six-way connector shown inFIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a partial sectional view of the six-way connector shown inFIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of a “Y” connector in accordance with analternative embodiment of the structure building toy shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is an exploded isometric view of the “Y” connector shown in FIG.14;

FIG. 16 is an isometric view of a “C” connector in accordance with analternative embodiment of the structure building toy shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is an exploded isometric view of the “C” connector shown in FIG.16;

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of a base connector in accordance with analternative embodiment of the structure building toy shown in FIG. 1;and

FIG. 19 is an exploded isometric view of the base connector shown inFIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention is particularly applicable to a structure building toythat uses the particular materials and connectors described below and itis in this context that the invention will be described. It will beappreciated, however, that the structure building in accordance with theinvention has greater utility, since the structure building toy may useother elements including other structural elements and connectors andthe structure building toy may be utilized for various applicationsother than building a fort for a child and these variations, such asbuilding various other structures, are within the scope of theinvention.

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a structure buildingtoy 10 in accordance with the invention. The structure building toy, ina preferred embodiment, is used to build a fort as shown in FIG. 1although the structure building toy may be used to create various otherstructures that are within the scope of the invention. The structure maybe built on a landscape mat (not shown) that has two differentembodiments. The preferred embodiment of the landscape mat is shown inFIG. 2A while an alternative embodiment of the landscape mat is shown inFIGS. 2B and 4. In accordance with the invention, the structure may alsobe built without using the landscape mat. The structure may be builtusing one or more connectors 12 that connect one or more structuralmembers 14 together and/or connect a structural member 14 to the mat asshown in more detail in FIGS. 6 and 7. Once the structure is createdusing the mat, connectors and structural members, a sheet 16 of materialmay be placed over the structural members to create the an internalspace of the structure, such as the space on the interior of a fort. Thesheets of material 16 may have different colors, patterns and fabrics toprovide different fantasy experiences of the child. In one embodiment,each sheet of material may include a clip mechanism so that the sheetcan be clipped onto the structural members. An example of a clipmechanism that may be used with the structure building system inaccordance with the invention is described below with reference to FIGS.9A-9D. The toy may be sold with one or more pieces of material 16wherein some of the pieces of material may incorporate a porthole 18.

FIGS. 1B1 and 1B2 illustrates an preferred embodiment of the port hole18 wherein the port hole 18 is formed in a sheet 16 wherein the porthole has mesh covering the port hole. The mesh allows the user to lookout of the port holes without easily being seen and provides safety bypreventing the users from putting their heads through the port holes.FIG. 1B2 shows the sheet 16 with the port hole 18 attached to one ormore structural members in accordance with the invention.

In an alternative embodiment of the port hole 18 shown in FIG. 1A, theport hole 18 may further comprise a clear portion 20 and a skin portion22 surrounding the clear portion. The port holes foster creativeexpression. When the alternate embodiment of the port hole 18 is used,the toy 10 may further comprise a set of picture cards 24 that can beslid into the clear portion 20 of the port hole 18 from the inside tocustomize the playscape and enhance the visual experience. For example,the set of pictures may include a set with view of the inside of anaircraft/helicopter in the air, a set for an outer space fantasy, a setfor an underwater fantasy, a set for a castle/medieval fantasy and a setfor a science fiction instrument panel. The clear portions 20 may alsoact as a see-thru pocket where pictures, drawings and precious items canbe stored.

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment of a landscapemat 30 that may be used with the structure building toy 10. Analternative embodiment of the landscape mat 30 is shown in FIG. 2B anddescribed below. The landscape mats shown in FIGS. 2A or 2B may or maynot be used to build a structure using the structure building toy 10.The landscape mats may provide additional stability for building largerstructures as well as can be connected in a grid pattern to easeconstruction of certain structures. Returning to FIG. 2A, the preferredembodiment of the landscape mat 30 may be a bendable wire frame encasedin fabric that fold out and may be connected together using baseconnectors 36. In a preferred embodiment, the toy 10 may have twolandscape mats 30 wherein each landscape mat has a wire frame 31 is a0.09375 inch thick formed spring steel wire and the fabric of thelandscape mat is a 185T polyester fabric with a fire retardanttreatment.

In order to use the landscape mat 30 shown in FIG. 2A, the user opensthe landscape mat so that it is flat and then the user attaches a baseconnector 36 to each corner of the landscape mat 30 by sliding thecorner of the landscape mat into the edge of the base connector 36. Thecorner of the landscape mat has rigidity due to the wire frame. The baseconnector has one or more pliable projections with ridges on theunderside wherein the projections are positioned above a parallelplatform of plastic so that a friction/pressure fit is achieved when thelandscape mat is slid between the projection and the parallel platform.Next, a connector 42 is connected to the base connector 36 and then astructural member 14 may be connected to the connector 42. This processis repeated until the desired structure using the structural members 14is formed. In this embodiment, the structure building toy may include abag (with Velcro) into which the landscape mat (when folded up like asunshade), the structural members and the remainder of the componentsmay be transported and stored.

FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating details of a top side of thealternative embodiment of the landscape mat 30 that is part of thestructure building toy. The mat is the base of which the structure isbuilt. The mat 30 may comprise one or more attachment mechanisms 32,such as Velcro tabs or a suction cup in a preferred embodiment, thatsecure the mat 30 to the surface on which the structure is to beconstructed. The surface on which the structure may be constructed intypically a floor, but may also be a wall. FIG. 2B illustrates anexample of the mat 30 having particular dimensions, but the mat is notlimited to any particular size or shape. The mat 30 further comprisesone or more connection points/areas 34 having a base connector mechanism36 into which a structural member is connected. The mat may furthercomprise a top portion 38 and a bottom portion 40 wherein the baseconnector mechanisms 36 are located in between the top portion 38 andbottom portion 40 so that the base connector mechanisms 36 arerelatively fixed with respect to each connection area 34. However, thebase connector mechanisms may move within its connection area to providean almost limitless number of variations on the position of the baseconnector. In a preferred embodiment, the top portion 38 may be a finemesh material with perforated fabric and the bottom portion 40 may befabric.

FIGS. 3A1-3A3 are diagrams illustrating details of a set of connectordevices that may be part of the structure building toy. The set ofconnectors may include the base connector 36 and the six-way connector42. The base connector 36 may be made of an ABS material and maypreferably include a metal tip portion 37 that fits into the baseconnector 36 as shown. The base connector may further include one ormore projections 39 on each side of the base connector that are used toconnect the landscape mat to the base connector. The base connector 36may also have textured regions 41. As described above, the projectionsmay have ridges on the underside so that the landscape mat is frictionfit into the base connector.

As shown in FIG. 3A2, the connector 42 may connect up to six structuralmembers or five structural members and the base connector 36 of thelandscape mat. The connector 42 may be preferably made of an ABSmaterial and have textured outer bumps 42 a. In a preferred embodiment,the connector 42 may have an upper portion 42 b and a lower portion 42 cthat are secured to each other (preferably by sonic welding) with amagnetic portion 42 d within the interior of the connector.

FIG. 3A3 illustrates the magnetic portion 42 d in more detail whereinthe magnetic portion preferably comprises a magnet (preferablyneodymium) 42 e that is sandwiched between a first plate 42 f,preferably stamped nickel-plated steel and a second plate 42 g. Eachplate may have a hole in the middle. The plates with the holesdistribute the magnetic field of the magnet along the X, Y, and Z axesand the size and configuration of the hole controls the amount of themagnetic field that is redistributed along the Z axis. Thus, thecombination of the magnet with the plates causes the magnetic field ofthe magnet to be redistributed to the edges of the plates so that themagnetic portion 42 d provides a magnetic field that is distributedalong the X, Y and Z axes.

FIG. 3B is diagram illustrating details of an alternate embodiment forthe set of connector devices that are part of the structure buildingtoy. The structure building toy may be implemented using other oradditional connector devices not described herein but that would beknown alternative connectors that perform the same function as theconnector devices shown. In particular, the set of connector devices mayinclude the base connector mechanism 36, a six-way connector mechanism42 and a five way floor connector mechanism. More details of each ofthese mechanisms is described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8,respectively. Each connector in this alternative embodiment of theinvention, has a magnet 46 captured within the connector to achieve thedesired magnetic coupling. An exemplary magnet may be a neodymiummagnet, but other types of magnets are within the scope of theinvention. The base connector mechanism 36 is used to magneticallycouple and attach a structural member to the mat, the six-way connectormechanism 42 is used to connect up to six structural members to eachother and the five way floor connector mechanism 44 is used to connectthe mat and up to five structural members to each other. The alternativeembodiment of the base connector mechanism 36 and the five way floorconnector mechanism 44 may also have a magnet located at the bottom thatconnects these connectors to the alternative embodiment of the landscapemat. In this manner, the set of connectors provide the user with greatflexibility in that a structural member may be connected to each otherand to the mat in various different orientations. Furthermore, since themat shown in FIG. 2B has a plurality of connection areas, the buildingstructures that may be constructed using the toy 10 is almost limitless.

In the two embodiments described above, each connector may be a magneticconnector although other types of connectors, such as various types ofmechanical connectors, are within the scope of the invention. Forexample, a mechanical connector or friction fit connector is also withinthe scope of the invention. As an example, the connector 42 may be aconnector with four tubes wherein the diameter of each tube is slightlysmaller than the diameter of the plastic tip of each structural memberso that the plastic tip of a structural member may be inserted into thetube to create a friction fit between the structural member and thetube.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating details of the bottom portion 40 of thealternative embodiment of the landscape mat 30 shown in FIG. 2B. Abottom surface of the mat 30 may have one or more storage units 50, suchas pockets, into which some or all of the part of the toy, including thestructural members and connectors may be stored. In a preferredembodiment, there may be one large pocket and two small pockets withVelcro closures 52. Alternatively, the storage units may hold theconnectors only. Thus, the mat 30 also functions as a roll-up storagesystem where all of the pieces can be inserted and simply stowed away.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating details of the structural member 14that is part of the structure building toy. In accordance with theinvention, the structural member may include a rigid structural member54 and a flexible structural member 56. In a preferred embodiment, thestructural members may be made of a foam material, such as expandedpolyethylene (EPE) foam that has good flexibility and limited memory sothat the structural member returns to its original shape although othermaterials for the structural members are also within the scope of theinvention. For example, each structural member may also be made out ofrubber, injection molded plastic (ABS) or some form of metal. The rigidstructural member 54 may include a rigid core 58, such as a plastic (ABSplastic tube) or a metal rod. The flexible structural member 56 does nothave the rigid core. Each structural member further comprises aconnector insert 60 that permits the structural member to be connectedto the mat or other structural members using the connectors shown inFIG. 3. In a preferred embodiment, the connector insert 60 may includean insert 62 (that may be inserted into the end of the structuralmember), such as a plastic insert, with a magnetizable tip 64, such as ametal tip, so that the structural member may be magneticallycoupled/connected to one of the connectors shown in FIG. 3. In someembodiments, the plastic insert may be made of an ABS plastic materialand may be glued into the end of the structural member. In otherembodiments, the plastic insert may be made of an ABS plastic materialand may have a set of threads so that the plastic insert may be screwedinto the end of the structural member.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating more details of the alternativeembodiment of the base connector mechanism 36 that is part of thestructure building toy. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the rigidstructural member 54 is inserted into and magnetically coupled to thesix-way connector 42 which is in turn inserted into and magneticallycoupled to the base connector mechanism 36. FIG. 7 is a diagramillustrating more details of the alternative embodiment of the five wayfloor connector mechanism 44 that is part of the structure building toywherein the five way connector is magnetically coupled to the mat 30 andone or more structural members 14 as shown. FIG. 8 is a diagramillustrating more details of the alternative embodiment of the six-wayconnector mechanism 42 that is part of the structure building toywherein the six-way connector mechanism is magnetically coupled to oneor more structural members 14 that have the insert 62 and themagnetizable tip 64.

For the preferred embodiment of the invention that uses the landscapemat 30 shown in FIG. 2A, the structure building toy provides manyadvantages. For example, the landscape mat 30 shown in FIG. 2A gives agood foundation for the structure since the base connectors are hard totip over since they have a wide bottom and a low center of gravity. Inaddition, since the base connectors are connected to the corners of thelandscape mat 30, the mat stabilizes the base connectors. The landscapemat 30 shown in FIG. 2A also helps the user to start a structure sinceit often hard for a user to start building without some starting point.The landscape 30 shown in FIG. 2A can also be connected together tocreate a variety of base layouts.

For the alternative embodiment of the structure building toy 10 thatuses the landscape mat shown in FIG. 2B, the structure building toyprovides many advantages. For example, the mat allows for true “analog”structure. Most typical construction systems have a rigid “grid” of somekind that is imposed upon the child. Lego is an example of a typicalsystem in that, once the first brick is set down, all other brickpossibilities are pre-determined. Unlike these typical systems, eachstructural member of the structure building toy has truly infinitemovement, and therefore all subsequent pieces can actually occupy anyplace so that there is no limit to what can be constructed using theinventive system. Furthermore, since the structural members of theconstruction system are flexible, the structural members can be used tocreate both rectilinear and organic constructions (frame based, orcurved/circular). In addition, the mat may be used on any 2 dimensionalsurface including the floor, wall or any other surface. The clip systemallows for pre cut pieces of fabric 16 with simple geometries to formfit to an infinite number of construction shapes.

The structural members in accordance with the invention are bothflexible, but also sufficiently rigid to form a connection point. In apreferred embodiment, each structural member has a flexible foam memberwith a solid mechanical joint at each end. In a preferred embodiment,the solid mechanical joint is a plastic tip with a metal tip thatenables the structural members to be magnetically coupled.

In accordance with the invention, the mechanical coupling may also be afriction or interference (snap) fit.

As described above, the mat has the base connectors encapsulated in themat so that the base connectors can slide around within their quadrantsand enable a nearly infinite number of floor coupler positions. The matmay also be used as a storage bag and the mat can be affixed (Velcro,suction cups) to the floor. The windows in the material may be used aspockets for interchangeable images to help decorate the inside of thespace. (i.e.; if the kid builds a helicopter, the image in the windowlooks like she is peering out of the window from the cockpit.

FIGS. 9A-9D are diagrams illustrating an example of a clip mechanism ofthe structure building toy. A clip mechanism 100 is a resilient materialso that it can be attached around a structural member to secure a pieceof fabric to the structural members as shown in FIG. 9D wherein thefabric/sheet may be laid over the structural member and then the clipmechanism is slid over the fabric/sheet and structural member to holdthe sheet on the structural member. FIGS. 9B and 9C show the clipmechanism in a top view and sectional view along line A-A. In apreferred embodiment, the clip mechanism may be injection moldedpolypropylene. FIGS. 9B and 9C illustrate the dimensions of a preferredembodiment of the clip mechanism. In accordance with the invention, theclip mechanism may be implemented using other known techniques forattaching a piece of fabric/sheet to a structural member and those otherknown techniques are within the scope of the invention.

As shown in FIGS. 10-19, an alternate embodiment of the structurebuilding toy uses connector members 110 in conjunction with variousconnectors 130, 160, 190, and 220 to removably couple the structuralmembers 14 to each other. Two or more structural members 14 are coupledto each other by securing at least one connecting member 110 to eachstructural member 14 and then coupling the respective connecting members110 to a common connector 130, 160, 190, and 220.

Referring to FIG. 10, one embodiment of a connector member 110 includesan insert portion 112 at one end to secure the connector member 110 to astructural member 14. The insert portion 112 includes a cylindrical pin114 with external threads 116 formed thereon. The insert portion 112 iscoupled to the structural member 14 by threadedly engaging the insertportion 112 of the connector member 110 with the structural member 14.In one embodiment, the structural member 14 includes a preformedaperture with internal threads to engage the insert portion 112. In analternate embodiment, the threads 116 of the insert portion 112 are“self tapping” threads that can be secured to any portion of thestructural member 14 by simply screwing the insert portion 112 into asurface of the structural member 14. The threads are optionally formedto have a frustoconical arrangement to more securely couple the insertportion 112 to the structural member 14. Further, the insert portion 112may optionally include one or more barbs 124 extending radially from thethreads 116 to further secure an installed insert portion 112 to thestructural member 14.

The connector member 110 also includes a pin portion 118 locatedopposite the insert portion 112 to secure the connector member 110 toany one of a variety of connectors 130, 160, 190, and 220, which aredescribed in detail later. The pin portion 118 includes a shaft 120 anda retention element 122. The central axis of the shaft 120 is preferablycoincident with the central axis of the cylindrical pin 114 of theinsert portion 112, although embodiments in which the shaft 120 and thecylindrical pin 114 are oriented at an angle relative to each other arecontemplated. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the shaft 120 has agenerally octagonal cross-section. As described in detail later, theaperture of the connector into which the shaft 120 is inserted has ashape similar to the cross-section of the shaft 120. As a result, whenthe pin portion 118 is inserted into the aperture, the aperture engagesthe faces of the shaft 120 to prevent the shaft 120 from rotatingrelative to the aperture. In the illustrated embodiment, the faces ofthe shaft 120 are formed to be slightly concave. The apertures of theconnectors have a complementary shape to provide better engagementbetween the shaft 120 and the aperture, further constraining the shaft120 against rotation relative to the aperture and thus, the connector130, 160, 190, and 220. Preventing relative movement between theconnector member 110 and the connector 130, 160, 190, and 220 in thismanner allows for a more stable structure that is less prone to racking.While a shaft 120 having an octagonal cross-section with slightlyconcave faces is disclosed, it should be appreciated that the shaft 120may have a cross-section of any suitable shape, including round, square,triangular, clover-shaped, and figure-8, etc., without departing fromthe scope of the disclosure.

The retention element 122 cooperates with a detent member, describedlater, to lockingly engage the pin portion 118 of the connection member110 with a connector 130, 160, 190, and 220 when the pin portion 118 isinserted into an aperture of a connector 130, 160, 190, and 220. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 10, the retention element 122 is acircumferential groove formed in the shaft 120 of the pin portion 118,but it should be understood that other embodiments may include aretention element having a different form, such as a plurality ofdistinct recesses spaced around the circumference of the shaft 120.

FIG. 11 shows one embodiment of a connector 130 capable of connecting upto six structural members 14 to each other. The six-way connector 130includes six outer bumps 134. An aperture 132 is located on each outerbump 134, and each aperture 132 is adapted to receive the pin portion118 of a connector member 110. As previously described, each aperture132 has a shape similar to and slightly larger than the cross-section ofthe pin portion 118 so that the aperture 132 and the pin portion 118cooperate to prevent the connector member 110 from rotating relative tothe connector 130. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, each aperture hasa generally octagonal shape, with each face of the octagon having aslight concavity. It should be appreciated that the aperture 132 can beof any shape suitable to receive the pin portion 118 and preferably, toprevent the connector member 110 from rotating relative to the connector130.

The apertures 132 are orthogonally positioned relative to each other sothat the pin portion 118 of a connector member 110 inserted into one ofthe apertures 132 is positioned at a right angle to the pin portion 118of another connector member 110 inserted into any adjacent aperture 132.Further, the axis of a pin portion 118 inserted into one aperture 132 iscoincident with the axis of a pin portion 118 inserted into the oppositeaperture 132. As a result, structural members 14 may be coupled togetherto form right angles or to form one long structural member.

As best shown in FIG. 12, the six-way connector 130 has an upper portion136 and a lower portion 138, which cooperate to define the outer surfaceof the connector 130. The upper portion 136 and the lower portion 138are preferably made from a polymeric material, such as acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene (ABS), but any suitable material, such as metal, wood,or composites, may be used. The upper portion 136 and lower portion 138are secured to each other using any suitable means known in the art,such as adhesives, mechanical fasteners, interference fit, snap-fit,ultrasonic welding, etc. Depending upon the method used to secure theupper portion 136 and lower portion 138 to each other, the upper portion136 may be identical to the lower portion 138, i.e. a single part may beused for both portions.

Still referring to FIG. 12, a retainer insert 140 is disposed betweenthe upper portion 136 and the lower portion 138 of the connector 130.The retainer insert 140 includes a plurality of detent members 142arranged so that one detent member 142 is positioned adjacent to eachaperture 132 in the interior portion of the connector 130. Each detentmember 142 includes two flexible elongated locking elements 144extending inwardly from the aperture. The locking elements 144 areoriented substantially parallel to and on opposite sides of the centralaxis of the pin portion 118 of a connector member 110 when the pinportion 118 is inserted into the adjacent aperture 132. A protrusion 146is located on each locking element 144 and extends inward toward thecentral axis of pin portion 118 so that the protrusion 146 interfereswith the shaft 120 of the pin portion 118 when the pin portion 118partially inserted into the aperture 132. While the disclosed retainerinsert 140 is preferably made from a flexible, durable polymer, such asacetal, any material having sufficient strength, flexibility, anddurability may be used without departing from the scope of thedisclosure.

It should be appreciated that various embodiments of the retainer insert140 are contemplated and are within the spirit and scope of thedisclosure. For example, although the illustrated embodiment shows eachdetent member 142 having two locking elements, alternate embodiments ofthe retainer insert 140 may include a different number of lockingelements 144, as well as differently positioned locking elements 144. Inanother alternate embodiment, the locking elements 144 may be integralwith the upper portion 136 and lower portion 138, eliminating the needfor a separate retainer insert 140.

FIG. 13 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a six-way connector 130being used to connect two structural members 14 at right angles to eachother. The insert portion 112 of a connector member 110 inserted intothe end of each structural member 14 so that the threads 116 of theinsert portion 112 secure the connector member 110 to the structuralmember 14.

The pin portion 118 of each connector member 110 is inserted into anaperture 132 of the connector 130. As the pin portion 118 is insertedinto the aperture 132, the pin portion 118 engages the detent member 142adjacent to that aperture 132. More specifically, the end of the pinportion 118 contacts the protrusion 146 on each of the locking elements144, which causes the locking elements 144 to temporarily deformoutward, away from the central axis of the pin portion 118. The axialforce required to deform the locking members 144 outward can beincreased or decreased by varying the radius or chamfer on the end ofthe pin portion 118. The pin portion 118 continues to move into theconnector 130 until the retention element 122 is positioned next to theprotrusions 146 on the detent member 142. When the retention element 122reaches the protrusions 146, the deformed locking elements 144 move backtowards their undeformed, i.e. neutral, position, which causes theprotrusions to engage the groove that forms the retention element 122.The engagement of the retention element 122 by the protrusions 146 oflocking elements 144 is accompanied by a audible signal, such as a clickor snap, as well as a tactile sensation that lets the user know that theconnector member 110 is lockingly engaged to the connector 130.

When a connector member 110 is lockingly engaged to the connector 130,the detent member 142 constrains the pin portion 118 against axialmovement. At the same time, the surface of the pin portion 118cooperates with the aperture 132 to constrain the pin portion 118against rotational movement about the central axis of the pin portion118. Constraining the relative motion between the connector members 110and the connectors 130 in this manner provides stable connectionsbetween structural members 14, which in turn enables a user to build astructure having improved stability.

To disengage a structural member 14 from the connector 130, an axialforce is applied to the connector member 110. The axial force disengagesthe detent member by causing the protrusions 144 to contact a sidesurface of the retention element 122, i.e. the groove, which forces thelocking elements 144 apart until the protrusions 144 no longer extendinto the groove. The axial force required to disengage the lockingmembers 144 from the groove can be increased or decreased by varying theradius or chamfer on the side surface of the groove. With the detentmember 142 disengaged, the pin portion 118 can be freely removed fromthe aperture 132 to decouple the structural member 14 from the connector130.

Numerous embodiments of connectors utilizing the previously describeddetent members are contemplated to provide a variety of differentconnections between structural members 14. While several such connectorsare described hereinafter, these embodiments should be viewed asexemplary and should not be considered to limit the scope of thedisclosed subject matter.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show a “Y” shaped connector 160 in accordance with oneembodiment of the disclosure. The connector 160 includes five outerbumps 164, three of which are located to form a triangle. The remainingtwo outer bumps 164 are located on opposite sides of the triangle formedby the first three bumps 164. Apertures 162, which are adapted toreceive the pin portion 118 of a connector member 110, are located onfour of the five outer bumps 164. The fifth outer bump 164 has a shaft170 extending therefrom. The shaft 170 has a size and shape similar tothe pin portion 118 of a connector member 110 and includes a retentionelement 172. Similar to the pin portion 118 of a connector member 110,the shaft 170 of the “Y” shaped connector 160 can be inserted into anaperture of another connector 130, 160, 190, and 220 to lockingly engagethe “Y” shaped connector 160 to the other connector. In an alternateembodiment, the connector 160 has a fifth aperture 162 adapted toreceive the pin portion 118 instead of the above-described shaft 170.This allows a fifth connector member 110, and therefore a fifthstructural member 14, to be removably coupled to the connector 160.

A forward portion 166 and a rear portion 168 cooperate to define theouter surface of the connector 160. A retainer unit 174 is disposedwithin the connector 160 and includes four detent members 176, eachdetent member 176 being similar to the detent members 142 of the six-wayconnector 130 and being positioned adjacent to an aperture 162 tolockingly engage the pin portion 118 of a connector member 110 insertedinto the aperture 162. The forward portion 166, rear portion 168, andretainer insert 174 are made and assembled with materials and methodssimilar to their corresponding parts in the six-way connector 130.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate another embodiment of a connector, whereinthe connector is a “C” shaped connector 190 capable of providing lateralsupport to a structural member 14. The “C” shaped connector 190 includesa front portion 194 and a rear portion 196 that cooperate to define theouter surface of the connector 190. An aperture 192 is located on abottom portion of the connector 190 and is sized to receive the pinportion 118 of a connector member 110. A retainer insert 200 is disposedwithin the connector 190 and has a detent member 202 positioned adjacentto the aperture 192 to lockingly engage a pin portion 118 insertedtherein. The upper portion of the connector 190 forms in a “C” shapedchannel 198 having an inner diameter sized to be approximately the sameas the outer diameter of a structural member 14. As a result, thechannel 198 is selectively attachable to a central portion of astructural member 14 to provide lateral support thereto. A plurality ofprotrusions 206 are located on the inner surface of the channel 198 toconstrain a structural member 14 attached thereto against rotation.

Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, another embodiment of the disclosedconnector is a base connector 220. The base connector 220 includes fiveapertures 222, each aperture 222 being adapted to receive the pinportion 118 of a connector member 110 to lockingly engage a structuralmember to the connector 220. One of the apertures 222 is positioned toreceive a pin portion 118 so that the associated structural member 14 ismaintained in a substantially vertical position. The remaining fourapertures 222 are positioned so that the attached structural members 14extend radially from the connector 14 in a substantially horizontalorientation. Although the disclosed apertures 222 are described to beorthogonal to each other, alternate embodiments of the base connector220 may include any number of apertures 222, which may in turn havevarious different orientations.

An upper portion 226 and a lower portion 228 define the outer surface ofthe base connector 220. A retainer insert 230 is disposed within theconnector 220 and includes a detent member 232 positioned adjacent toeach aperture 222. A plurality of extensions 238 extend radially fromthe lower portion 220 of the connector 230 and define a generally flatbottom surface 236. In use, the base connector 230 rests on the flatbottom surface to provide a base to which structural members 14 can belockingly engaged. The extensions 238 are sized and positioned toprovide sufficient stability to a building structure supported by thebase connector 220. Pads formed from an elastic polymeric material, suchas rubber, may optionally be attached to the bottom surface 236 of theconnector 230, including the extensions 238. The pads increase thestability of the connector and also provide greater traction between theconnector 230 and floor, thereby reducing the likelihood that theconnector 230 will slide on a floor surface.

While the foregoing has been with reference to particular embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter, it will be appreciated by those skilled inthe art that changes in these embodiments may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

1. A toy structure building apparatus, comprising: (a) a plurality ofstructural members; (b) a plurality of connector members, each of theplurality of connector members comprising a pin portion with a centralaxis and a retention element located on an external surface of the pinportion; and (c) a plurality of connectors, each of the plurality ofconnectors comprising: (i) an aperture adapted to receive the pinportion; and (ii) a detent member disposed within the aperture andadapted to lockingly engage the retention element, the detent membercomprising a flexible elongated locking element extending in a directionsubstantially parallel to the central axis of the pin portion when thedetent member lockingly engages the retention element, wherein the pinportion is selectively insertable into the aperture to removably couplethe structural members to each other to build a toy structure.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the retention element comprises a recessin the external surface of the pin portion of the connector member. 3.The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the recess is a circumferentialgroove.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detent member furthercomprises a protrusion positioned to extend into the recess in theexternal surface of the pin portion of the connector member.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible elongated locking element ofthe connector is adapted to temporarily deform to receive the pinportion of the connector member into the aperture of the connector andto resume its original shape thereafter to lockingly engage theretention element of the connector member.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the connector member further comprises a threaded insertportion, the threaded insert portion being adapted to attach theconnector member to the one of the plurality of structural members bythreadedly engaging the structural member.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein at least one of the plurality of connectors is a base connector,the base connector having a substantially flat bottom surface.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 7, wherein the substantially flat bottom surface isdefined by a plurality of protrusions extending laterally from the baseconnector.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connector furthercomprises a C-shaped portion, the C-shaped portion being adapted toreceive one of the plurality structural members and to provide supportto a lateral portion of the received structural member.